Harlow

Harlow's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and marriage.

The population reached nearly 82,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Harlow increased by 4.0%, from just under 78,800 to 81,900.

The addition of just under 3,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Harlow was home to, on average, 19 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Harlow

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Harlow increased by two years, from 35 to 37 years.

This suburban area had a lower average age than Eastof England and remained slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just over 1,700 people between the ages of 50 and 59 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 2,000.

About 12% of people in Harlow are aged between 50 and 59 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Harlow by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of self-employment

The percentage of Harlow residents that were self-employed increased from 6.5% to 8.7% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (58%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage of Harlow residents that were unemployed increased from 3.4% to 5.2%.

The proportion of self-employed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 9.3% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.2% to 9.7%.

The rate of self-employment in Harlow increased by 2.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Harlow, Eastof England and England that said they were self-employed, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Harlow

The percentage of Harlow residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.8% to 3.7% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 6.1%, while the percentage of Harlow residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Harlow that rented privately increased from 4.8% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (31%) households lived in social housing, compared with 34% in 2001. The percentage of Harlow households that owned their home decreased from 59% to 56%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Harlow increased by 6.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Harlow, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

The percentage of adults in Harlow that were married decreased from 50% to 45% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in three (34%) people aged 16 and over said they were single, compared with 30% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Harlow that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 12% to 14%.

The proportion of married people fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 54% in 2001 to 50% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 51% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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